The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-11-24
TRUELOVE REWARDED.


A young girl stood at the door CT u
vine-wreathed cottage, in Germany,
listening for her lovers steps. She
made a pretty picture, with her visit
full blue eyes, her tangle of yellow
curls, and her fair oval face, delicate
as wild anemone in its colOring.
Suddenly she sprang forward.
''Oh. Conrad! are You here at last?
But what is the matter?" as 4 glance
at his troubled face startled her.
''Zina," said Conrad slowly, my
name was almost the first drawn. L
have come to bid you goodbye until
the war is over"
Zina grew very white as she listened
but look of pride came into her eyes
after moment.
''Oh, Conrad! it is glorious to fight
for ones country. | wish | were Il
your poor mother do without you?"
Il Shall expect my little Zina to
comfort her in my absence, and to
see that she lacks nothing" answered
Conrad, with struggle to speak
calmly.
1t would not do to waste the flying
moments of this last precious inter-
view in futile regrets; and though his
heart was sort at the thought of part
ing with those he loved so we'll, he
went on cheerfully:
"My mother will be well off. Seel"
And he drew Il purse, filled with silver
pieces, from his pocket and showed
them to Zina. Il have some months
pay in advance, so as to leave her
comfortable as regards money"
The parting drew near on the wings
of inexorable time, and the lovers had
but brief few minutes left. With
voice choked with tears, Zina said:
Whatever happens, | know that
you will he true TO your king and coun-
try and to me. If you die, it will be
the death of brave man, and / will
live as faithful to your memory as
though were your widow"
Their lips metln II long lingering
kiss, then Zina was alone. Her heart
was heavy. God alone could know
what the future held in store for her
that mysterious. lmplacable, unpity-
ing future whose threshold her falter-
ing feet were even now hesitating to
cross.
Zina's beauty and gentleness had
proved attractive to another besides
Conrad. Heinrich Altman had lost his
heart the first time he set eyes upon
her sweet face. But she was already
promised to Conrad, so that his suit
was in vain. He was glad at heart
when his rival had thus suddenly been
taken out OF his way; but he disguised
the ungenerons feeling, and came to
the cottage now and then with news of
the army-moyements, sure of thus
winning Zina's eager interested atten-
ton.
"Who knows" he thought, Conrad
may be shot, and if gain Zinas CON
fidence and friendship, when the re-
bound from sorrow comes, then will
be my chance. | may win the wife |
covet after all. ;"
Thus he nursed the selfish hope
based upon another's downfall; and by
allowing himself to covet Zina'S love,
while knowing it belonged to Conrad,
paved the way for nature, naturally
noble and free from artitice, to become
ripe for an underhand action when the
opportunity came.
Several preliminary skirmishes had
taken place before the sanguinary bat
tie which caused all hearts to thrill
with excitement and anxiety, as the
accounts were flashed over the wires
for the papers to print. Heinrichs
cousin was a telegraph operator, and
as he was quick to learn, Heinrich
picked up knowledge of the art, and
in busy times rendered himself of great
use in the office, often being entrusted
with the reception of an important dis
patch, and its preparation for the
morning journal.
One day he came to Zina with re-
port ready to print. With an appear
ance of deep sympathy he called her
aside and showed her an item which
for her sake he would like to suppress.
but could not.
Zone thing can do out of friend
ship" he said. Il can keep the name
out of print. In the hurry no one will
notice the omission"
Zina grew very white as she read.
Then she turned to Heinrich.
''It is not my Conrad" she ex-
claimed. He is no coward! He is
brave as true"
Heinrich smiled sadly.
Poor little Zina," he said softly;
81 do not wonder that you hesitate to
believe it. But fear it is our Con-
rad. 1t is nothing SO very dreadful.
The bravest are apt to be stricken with
fear in the midst of rattling shot and
bursting bomb-shells.
'.Do not say what is not true" an
swered Zina Indignantly; "the brave
man is always brave; he could not be a
coward for 4 moment"
Heinrich's eyes shone at her de-
cided words.
.No," he said, with a pretense al
Indifference. ''Then, if it prove TO be
Conrad, you think he is a natural pol
troon, not an accidental one? | did
not believe you had it in your heart to
be so harsh, and to one whom you have
loved well enough to promise to
marry"
Zina faced him with an angry light
flashing from the blue eyes, usually
So calm and gentle in their expression.
Have loved, did you say? Whom
do love, and will love until | die.
in that light. You can do as you
choose-publish him in his native place
and disgrace him, but l tell you it is
false. My Conrad is no coward.
thine will prove" answered Helm
rich. ''But for your sake it shall not
go into print"
Still, as the time passed on, and no
news came from Conrad, gradually ii
became whispered about among the
towspeople that in some way he had
been disgraced. The reports reached
the ears of Zina's parents, and they
questioned her about them, giving
Heinrich as their authority, saying:
1T is all very well for you to have
faith in him, but no one else has, and
the sooner you turn your thoughts
from the unworthy one who has dis
.graced his name the better There II
Gna avan NOW ruhn ia dvinQ for &